Carlos Alcaraz has become known for his exceptional drop shots since his entry into the ATP Tour.
The four-time Major champion has captivated tennis fans globally with his thrilling playing style.
Alcaraz clinched the Monte-Carlo Masters at the start of the clay season, following it up with a strong performance that took him to the finals in Barcelona.
After missing the Madrid Open due to an injury, he returned to play in Rome, defeating Dusan Lajovic in his first match.
Having advanced to the third round of the Italian Open, Alcaraz shared his insights on mastering the perfect drop shot.
Alcaraz on Executing the Perfect Drop Shot
In a media session following his 6-3, 6-3 victory over Lajovic, Alcaraz detailed his technique for using drop shots effectively.
“It’s essential to have the opponent positioned a few steps back. I can’t fully describe it; it just comes naturally to me,” he remarked.
“The key is to find the right moment to execute it; a poor drop shot at the right time can yield better results than a good one at the wrong time. It’s all about balance.”
Alcaraz’s expertise in drop shots is backed by research from tennisabstract.com, highlighting him as the leader in drop shot success rates during 2024.
| Rank | Name | Points/Gained per 1000 Drop Shots |
| 1 | Carlos Alcaraz | 6.5 |
| 2 | Sebastian Baez | 5.2 |
| 3 | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | 4.9 |
| 4 | Richard Gasquet | 4.5 |
| 5 | Kei Nishikori | 3.8 |
| 6 | Lucas Pouille | 3.0 |
| 7 | Pablo Carreno Busta | 2.3 |
| 8 | Andy Murray | 2.2 |
| 9 | Roberto Bautista Agut | 2.2 |
| 10 | Rafael Nadal | 2.0 |
Alcaraz leads with a gain of 6.5 points per 1000 drop shots, ahead of other clay specialists like Sebastian Baez and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Injury Update Ahead of the Italian Open
Ranked third globally, Alcaraz missed the Madrid Open due to injury, raising concerns he could also miss the Italian Open.
Upon recovery, he began his tournament in Rome with a victory and provided an update on his condition post-match.
“It was a fantastic match, a strong start to the tournament. Honestly, I expected underwhelming performance from myself. I’m truly happy with how it went,” he noted.
“The top priority was my injury; I wasn’t sure how I would feel during the match. Thankfully, it went well. I moved great and felt no pain, which is fantastic.”
He elaborated on his recovery process, stating: “I took several days completely off to recover with the physiotherapist, without any physical activity.”
“Upon returning home on Monday, I conducted a self-assessment and it felt almost perfect. Then I resumed practice slowly.”
“It was a blend of gentle recovery and preparation for Rome.”
Fully ready to compete, he’ll aim for further success as he faces Laslo Djere in the third round over the weekend.
Head-to-Head Record: Alcaraz vs. Djere
Alcaraz and Djere have faced off twice before, with Alcaraz winning both encounters.
- 2025 Barcelona Open 2R – Alcaraz defeated Djere, 6-2, 6-4
- 2023 Argentina Open 2R – Alcaraz beat Djere, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
Alcaraz won against Djere last month at the Barcelona Open, losing only six games in their second-round match.
Two years ago, he again bested Djere on clay after a three-set contest in Buenos Aires.
However, Alcaraz should not take Djere lightly, given that Djere has secured 12 clay victories this year, ranking him among the top three players in that statistic.
- Francisco Cerundolo – 16 clay wins in 2025
- Sebastian Baez – 13 clay wins in 2025
- Laslo Djere – 12 clay wins in 2025
- Alexander Zverev – 11 clay wins in 2025
- Lorenzo Musetti – 11 clay wins in 2025
The outcome of Djere’s upcoming match against Alcaraz in the third round of the Italian Open on Sunday, May 11, remains to be seen.
